CO Advice
In the UK there are 12 million adults with hearing loss, equivalent to around one in five adults, and at least 50,000 children who are deaf.
As deafness is not a visible condition, deaf and hard of hearing individuals can feel misunderstood, unseen, invisible and isolated.
The aim of Deaf Awareness Week 2022, 2-8th May, is to explore the entire theme of inclusion within our communities, looking at the impact of hearing on everyday life, the importance of mental health in deaf and increasing visibility of underrepresented groups.
FireAngel in partnership with Charnwood Borough Council, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Gas Safe Charity, created a video in British Sign Language to highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide in our homes.
The video outlines what carbon monoxide is and why it’s dangerous, how it is formed and how members of the deaf and hard of hearing community can use specialised alarms and equipment to keep safe.
Fitting a CO alarm is the only way to stay protected from carbon monoxide as the human senses cannot detect the tasteless, odourless, colourless gas. There are specialised alarms available to suit people who have hearing loss by using sound, light or vibration to alert to an alarm activation.
Following the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 extension, changes will soon be brought forward that will impact all renters, private landlords and social landlords. Once a compliance date is announced, carbon monoxide alarms will be required to be fitted in all rooms where there is a fixed combustion appliance – such as gas boilers or gas fires.
For more information on how keep protected in your home if you have hearing loss, please email our friendly team who will be happy to advise on the most suitable alarms, or discover more about Deaf Awareness Week. To find out further information on the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 updates and how this impacts you as a renter, read our blog.
